George w



June 16, 1953 G. w. VON HOFE L R 23,658

' LABEL APPLYING MECHANISM Original Filed March 27. 194'? INVENTOR.550/565 [Mm/U701? Arm/Qua s Reiseued June 16, 1953 LABEL APPLYINGMECHANISM George W. van Hofe, Bound Brook, N. .L, assignor to New JerseyMachine Corporation, Hoboken. N. J., a corporation of New JerseyOriginal No. 2,578,329, dated December 11, 1951, Serial No. 737,540,March 27, 1947. Application for reissue February 11, 1953, Serial No.336,463

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets I: II appears in the original patentbut forms no part of thll reissue specification; matter printed initalics indicates the additions made by reissue.

58 Claims.

This invention relates to label applying machines and has for itsprincipal object the provision of an improved means for applying labelsto articles whose configuration or the place of application of the labelthereto makes it desirable that the label first be shaped before it ismounted on the article.

In accordance with the above and other objects which will hereinafterbecome more apparent; the invention provides a transfer device having alabel carrying surface substantially conforming to the article surfaceto which the label is to be applied and means for depositing the labelon such surface of the transfer device.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate examples of the inventionwithout defining its limits, Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side 'elevationalview of a. label applying machine embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is aperspective view of an artlcle having an interiorly applied label; Fig.3 is a front elevational view of the transfer device and coacting labelsupport shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustratinganother form of label support for carryin out the purposes of theinvention; Fig. 5 is a side elevational View of another form of transferdevice and showing it depositing a label in a suture tube and Fig. 6 isan end view of the article in Fig. 5 showing the label depositedtherein.

The term label used throughout the follow- I ing description is intendedto include any sheet of material which is to be deposited on or in anarticle for the purpose of identifying the contents thereof. or for anyother purpose. .The

label may haveany desired form and may or may nothave' thereon a coatingof adhesive material,

such as, a suitable glue or heat activatable thermoplastic material, forthe purpose of adhering the label to the article. Thus, wherein thespecification and the claims it is stated that the label is applied toan article or surface, it is intended that the word apply shall includeafiixing, depositing, laying or placing the label on or in an article oron a surface. Also in practicing the invention, the labels may either befed in the form of a continuous web from a supply roll in a well-knownmanner or be fed individually, as from a supply stack. In the machineillustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the source of label supply isshown as an upright stack of individual labels 9 contained in a hopperI0 and coated on their lower faces with a heat activatable thermoplasticmaterial. The hopper i0 may include any conventional elevating means forraising the stack 01 labels 9 at periodic intervals to thereby 2 restorethe top label in the stack to a predetermined height, and thus maintainthe top labels at a. substantially constant feeding level.

In accordance with the invention, the labels 9 are fed from the stack orstore thereof on the support or elevating means of the hopper II to asupport i2 by means of a pick-up device of the suction operated typewhich is designated generally in the drawings by the numeral I I.Suitable means may also be associated with the hopper. ID to facilitatethe feed of the labels from the stack by the pick-up device ll. After a.label 9 has been deposited upon the support it, a label carrier ortransfer device generally designated by the numeral l3, transfers thelabel in a reshaped condition from the support H to the article II.which is mounted on a suitable support, such as for exam-pie, thearticle supporting means designated IS in Fig. 1 of the drawings.Inasmuch as in this machine the labels to b applied to the articles bythe transfer device I3 are obtained from the support 12 to which theyare successively fed by the pick-up device l I, such support I2 may bestated to constitute a label supply or transfer station for the labelsso transmitted to the articles.

The label applying machine in which the above mentioned devices areembodied, may be of any well known type and. for the purpose ofillustrating the invention such parts have been shown as embodied in alabeling machine such as is described and illustrated in the Von HolePatent No. 2,227,816, issued January '1, 1941. In such a machine, thereis provided a carriage l6 (see Fig. 1) slidably mounted on a horizontalguide rail ll supported on the frame of the machine.

The carriage I6 is reciprocated lengthwise of the rail (1 inpredetermined timed sequence by mechanism exemplified in Fig. 1 of thedrawings by the rod l8 which is pivotally connected at I! to thecarriage. A member or plunger 20 is slidably mounted on the carriage l6and is vertically reciprocated thereon in properly timed relation withthe associated parts by mechanism exemplifled in Fig. 1 of the drawingsby the roller II which is adapted to travel along a horizontallyextending track 22 which is arranged to be raised and lowered toreciprocate the member 20. The downward movement of the member 20 may befacilitated by 'a vertically disposed spring 23 which is connected atits lower end to the carriage l6 and at its upper end to a lug 2| on themember 20. The spring 23 however, may be omitted in some instances andgravity alone depended upon to accomplish the downward movement of themember 23 when the track 22 is lowered. Secured to the lower end of themember 23 is the label carrier or transfer device I3. Also supported inpredetermined spaced relation to the transfer device I3 on the member20, is the pick-up or label feed device II. The pick-up device may bemounted in any suitable fashion on the member 20, as by a supportingbracket 23, which is secured at one end to the member 20 and at itsother end is provided with a depending portion 28 to the lower end ofwhich is secured the pick-up device II.

It will be understood from the parts of the label machine thus fardescribed, that when in the operation of the machine, the parts arepositioned as shown in Fig. 1, the track 22 is in a lowered position,the pick-up device II is in position to pick up a label from the stackor store of labels 9 and the transfer device I3 is in position toreceive a label 9 which has been deposited on the support I2 in theprevious operation of the carriage. Both the devices II and I3 are ofthe suction type and are connected. by tubes 33 and M, respectively,with a convenient source of suction which is controlled by properlytimed valving means of any suitable type so that suction is effected atthe label supporting surfaces of such devices while they are positionedas shown in Fig. l and until the labels carried thereby have beendeposited on the support I2 and the article I4. When a label 9 has beendrawn from the stack by the pick-up device II and a label has been takenfrom the support I2 by the transfer device I3, the track 22 is raised toelevate the member 20 and consequently the devices H and I3 with thelabels thereon. The carriage is then caused to move to the left, asviewed in Fig. 1 of the drawings to bring the pickup device I I over thesupport I2 and the transfer device I3 into the open end of the articleI4 which has previously been placed on the support I5 in label receivingposition. The spacing of hopper I0, support I2 and support I5 iscorrelated with relation'to the spacing of devices II and I3 on themember 20 to bring the parts accurately into the positions abovedescribed. When the parts are in the said positions the track 22 islowered and the member 20 moves downwardly on the carriage IE to therebycause the pick-up device II to deposit the label carried thereby on thesupport I2 and to cause the transfer device I3 to deposit its label uponthe interior surface of the article I4. When the deposition of the twolabels has been completed, the suction in the devices II and I3 isdiscontinued and the latter are lifted with respect to the carriage I6by the action of track 22 on the roller 2I and member 23. The labeledarticle I4 is then removed from the support I5 and the carriage I6 isretracted to bring the parts back to the positions shown in Fig. 1 ofthe drawings to repeat the operations above described.

The support I2 is provided with a label supporting surface 38 at whichterminate a plurality of air passageways 31 that are in communication attheir lower ends with a chamber.

4 be delivered to the transfer device I3. The valve means should be alsoadapted to deliver compressed air into the chamber 35 to blow thedeposited label 9 into contact with the label carrying surface of thetransfer head II when the latter is properly positioned in labelreceiving position with relation to the support I2. Due to the fact thata label on support I2 is deposited thereon so that its thermoplasticcoating is in engagement with surface 38 and the fact that the labelcarrying surface of the transfer device I3 is heated in any suitablemanner, as by providing the device I3 with a conventional electricaltype of heater located in an electrical circuit and indicated by thewires 32, it is preferred that the transfer device I3 should not contactwith the label on the support but in its pick-up position be slightlyspaced therefrom to prevent the labels adherence to the support. It iscontemplated however, to bring the device I3 into contact with thesupport when the label is not provided with a thermoplastic coating, inwhich case the said valve means may be arranged merely to cut off thesuction to the chamber 35 and consequently surface 38 when the device I3comes into engagement with the label resting on support I2. The surface38 has a concave shape and conforms substantially to the shape of thelabel carrying surface 39 of device I3. Surface 39 in turn substantiallyconforms to the interior surfaceof the article I! on which the label 3is to be deposited. A label picked up by device I3 is maintainedonsurface 39 by suction created through the air passageways l0terminating at one end in such surface and communicating at their otherends with a chamber II which is con nected by tube 3| to a source ofsuction controlled by valve means of any suitable type so that when alabel 9 is picked up from support I2 and until it is deposited onarticle I4, such suction will be effective at surface 33 to maintainlabel 9 properly in position thereon.

It will be understood from the foregoing, that when a label 9 isdeposited on surface 33 of support I2, the suction effective at suchsurface will cause the label to adhere snugly thereto and take a concaveshape similar to that of surface 38. The label 9 is thuspreshaped onsupport I2 prior to its delivery to the transfer device I3. When deviceI3 is lowered so that it enters into the recess defined by surface 38,with its label carrying surface 39 spaced slightly from the exteriorface of the label, compressed air through tube 36. chamber 35 and airpassageways 31 will blow the preshaped label into contact with surface33 where it will be held by the suction effective at such surface atthat time. The transfer device I3 with the shaped label 9 thereon; willthen be lifted from the support I2, shifted by the carriage I8 into themouth of the article I4 and then lowered to deposit the label upon theconcaved interior surface of article ll. During the travel of thetransfer device I3 from support I2, to the article I I, the label 3 isheated by the heating means 32 carried by device I3 to adhesivelyactivate the thermoplastic coating on such label. Consequently when thetransfer device I3 is lowered at the applying station to bring the label9 with its heat activated thermoplastic coating into engagement with theinterior surface of article I4, the label will be caused to adhere tosuch surface of the article. At the proper momene suc tion is cut off inthe transfer device I3 and the latter is returned to support I2 in themanner previously described to transfer another presauce shaped labelfrom such support to a succeeding article.

Instead of shapin the label 9 priorto its application to the article bymeans of rigid surfaces such as the aforementioned surfaces 38 and 89,it is within the contemplation of the invention to shape the label onsurface 39 of the transfer device I! by any other suitable means. Thus,in Fig. 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a flexible band or strapI! made of any suitable material, such as rubber, and supported at itsends on pins 46, 46 so as to be positioned across the path of travel ofthe transfer device l3 when it is lowered to pick up a label 9. The pins46, 45 are provided on the upper ends of two movable standards 41, Hwhich are pivotally connected at l8, 48 to the base of a U-shapedbracket mounted on the machine in any suitable manner. The standards 41,4! are maintained in substantially vertical positions by means ofsprings 49, 59 which are connected to the arms 50, 5B of bracket 5|. IBetween its ends, the strap I2 is provided with a plurality ofperforations 31' which commuhicate with a chamber 35' formed in thecentral portion thereof. The chamber 35' is connected by means of a pipeor tube 36 with a source of suction controlled to provide suction in thechamber 35' and consequently at the upper surface 38 of strap l2 whenthe label 9 is deposited qn the latter and until such label is picked upby the transfer device I3. In this operation, it will be understood thatthe central portion of the strap I! will be depressed by the transferdevice i3 during the latters downward movement. During such movement ofthe transfer device IS, the strap I! will be shaped to conform to theshape of the label carrying surface 39 of the transfer device, thuswrapping the label about such surface, the standards 41, 41 pivotingtoward each other to enable this shaping of strap II to take place. Asthe transfer device is raised to carry. off the label 9 in the mannerpreviously described, support I 2' is returned to its normal raisedposition and standards 41, 4'! return to their normal positions underthe influence of springs 49, 49. Stop members 52, 52 on standards 41, 41restrict the return movements of the latter so that they do not gobeyond a vertical position.

It is also within the contemplation of the invention to provide thelabel carrying surface of the transfer device with any shape which willaccomplish either the application or the delivery of the label to anarticle. Thus, in Fig, 5 of the drawings, the label carrying surface 39'of the transfer device I3 is provided with a cylindrical shape to enableit to carry labels which should be first shaped into the form of acylinder before insertion into articles, such as, the suture or gut tubeH. In applying labels to articles of this type, it is not necessary thatthe labels be given a coating of adhesive or thermoplastic material, itbeing merely suflicient to rely on the natural resiliency of the labelmaterial to maintain it in the position it will assume in the articlewhen the suction at the surface 39' of the transfer device is cut off.Fig. 6 shows the label 9 positioned on the article |4','in the positionit assumes after release of the vacuum in member l3 has permitted it tosnap out against the wall of the article. The label 9 may be wrappedaround the cylindrically-shaped surface 39' of the transfer device l3 bymeans of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, or by any othersuitable means, the label being held in position thereon by the suctionapplied through ports 40'.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes andmodifications other than those above described may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In a labeling machine, a label supply station, means spaced from saidstation for supporting articles to be labeled, a vacuum device adaptedto carry from said supply station to the article to be labeled a labelshaped to the label carrying surface of such device. said surface havinga shape other than flat and substantially conforming to the shape of thearticle surface to which the label is to be applied, and means at saidlabel supply station for supplying to said device a label having a formother than flat and shaped to substantially conform to the shape of saidsurface thereof.

2. In a labeling machine, a vacuum device adapted to carry a labelshaped to the label carrying surface thereof from a transfer station toan article, said surface having a shape other than flat andsubstantially conforming to the shape of the article surface to whichthe label is to be applied, a source of label supply, means for advancing the terminal label in said supply to the label transferstationjmeans at the transfer station for supplying to said device alabel shaped to said surface thereof and means for synchronouslyactuating said device and said advancing means to carry a shaped labelfrom the transfer station to an article and to advance a label from saidsupply to the transfer station during the same time.

3. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a source of label supply,means spaced from said supply and having a label supporting surface of ashape other than flat and substantially conforming to the shape of thearticle surface to which the label is to be applied, means for feedingthe terminal label in said supply to said surface, means coacting withsaid label supporting surface to cause a label to assume the shape ofthe latter, means for delivering the label in its thus shaped form tothe article and means for synchronously actuating said feeding means andsaid label delivery means to feed a label to said surface and to delivera shaped label to an article during the same time.

.4. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a source of supply oflabels in flat form, means for feeding the terminal label in said supplyto a transfer station spaced from such supply. means at said transferstation for shaping the label from a flat form to a form other than fiatand substantially conforming to the shape of the article surface towhich the label is to be applied, means having a label carrying surfacesubstantially conformed to the shape of the reshaped label fordelivering the label in its thus shaped form from said transfer stationto the article and for applying the reshaped label to the article, andmeans for synchronously actuating said feeding means and said labeldelivery means to feed a label to said transfer station and to deliver ashaped label to an article during the same time.

5. In a labeling machine, means for supplying labels in flat form from asource of label supply, means for shaping the labels into a form otherthan flat and substantially conforming to the shape of the articlesurface to which the label is to be applied, means having a labelcarrying surface substantially conformed to the shape of the reshapedlabel for delivering the label in its thus shaped form from said shapingmeans to the article and for applying the reshaped label to the article,and means for synchronously actuating said supplying means and saidlabel delivery means to supply a label in flat form to said shapingmeans and to deliver a shaped label from said shaping means to anarticle during the said time period, said shaping means being operableat the end of each such period.

6. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a source of label supply,means spaced from said supply and having a label supporting surface of ashape other than flat and substantially conformin to the shape of thearticle surface to which the label is to be applied, a vacuum picker forfeeding labels from said supply to said surface, means for shaping thelabel on said surface and holding the label in shaped condition thereon,means for transferring the label in its thus shaped form from saidsurface to the article, and means for synchronously actuating saidvacuum picker and said transfer means to feed a label from said supplyto said surface and to transfer a shaped label from said surface to anarticle during the same time.

7. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a source of label supply,means having a label supporting surface of a shape other than flat andsubstantially conforming to the shape of the article surface to whichthe label is to be applied, a vacuum picker for feeding labels from saidsupply to said surface, means for shaping the label on said surface andholding the label in shaped condition thereon, a vacuum device fortransferring the label in its thus shaped form from said surface to thearticle, said device having a label carrying surface conforming in shapeto the shape of said supporting surface, and means for synchronouslyactuating said vacuum picker and said vacuum device to feed a label fromsaid supply to said surface and to transfer a shaped label from saidsurface to an article during the same time. I

8. In a labeling machine, a label supply sta tion, means spaced fromsaid station for supporting articles to be labeled, a vacuum deviceadapted to travel from said simply station to said article supportingstation and having a label carrying surface shaped other than flat andsubstantially conforming to the shape of the article surface to whichthe label is to be applied and means separate from said vacuum deviceand located at said label supply station for shaping a fiat label onsaid surface into conformity with the latter.

9. In a labeling machine, a vacuum device having a predetermined path oftravel and having a reciprocal movement along a path transverse to itspath of travel, a label carrying surface of a curved configuration whichsubstantially conforms to the shape of the article surface to which thelabel is to be applied, and means for shaping aflat label on saidsurface including a flexible strap in the path of such reciprocalmovement of said device and adapted to wrap a label positioned thereonon such surface during such reciprocal movement of said device.

10. In a labeling machine, the combination of article supporting meansat a label applying station for positioning hollow articles to belabeled in label receiving position thereat, a vacuum device fordelivering labels to the article comprising a support, a vacuum headmounted in offset position on said support and having a label carryingsurface of a configuration conforming to the shape of the articlesurface to which the label is to be applied, means separate from saidvacuum head and coactable with the latter for shaping a flat label onsaid surface into conformity with the latter, and means for actuatingsaid device to carry the thus shaped label into the interior of thearticle for application thereto.

11. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a source of labelsupply, means spaced from said source for supporting articles to belabeled, means to feed an unactivated adhesive coated label in a flatcondition from said source to a point intermediate the latter and saidarticle supporting means, means at said intermediate point to shape theflat label to the contour of the label supporting surface oftransmitting means, said surface having a form other than flat andsubstantially conforming to the shape of an article surface to which thelabel is tobe applied, means to transmit the shaped label to saidarticle supporting means and to activate the adhesive material on suchshaped label during such portion of its travel, and means forsynchronously actuating said feeding means and said transmitting meansto feed a label from said source to said intermediate point and totransmit a shaped label from said intermediate point to an articleduring the same time.

12. In a labeling machine, means to feed an unactivated adhesive coatedlabel in flat condition, means to shape the label to the contour of anarticle surface having a form other than flat, means to transmit theshaped label to the article surface, means to activate the adhesivematerial on such label after the latter has been shaped and during itstransmittal to the article, and means for synchronously actuating saidfeeding means and said transmitting means to feed a label in flatcondition and to transmit a shaped label to an article during the sametime.

13. In a labeling machine, the combination of an article supportingmeans at a label applying station for positioning hollow articles inlabel receiving position, a vacuum device for delivering labels to thearticle comprising a support, a cylindrically shaped vacuum head mountedon said support and projecting transversely therefrom, means separatefrom such head for shaping a flat label around the projectingcylindrical surface of said head, and means for actuating said device tocarry such vacuum head with the thus shaped label thereon into theinterior of the article at the label applying station.

14. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a source of labelsupply, means spaced from said source for supporting articles to belabeled. a pick-up station intermediate said source of label supply andsaid article support, means for transferring individual labels from saidsource to said pick-up station, and means for transporting a labeldelivered to said pick-up station from the latter to an article on saidsupport, and means associated with said transporting means foractivating the adhesive material on said label during its passage fromsaid pick-up station to the article.

15. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a compacted supply stackof inactivated thermoplastic coated labels, means spaced from said stackfor supporting articles to be labeled, a pick-up station intermediatesaid supply stack and said article support, a device for transferringindividual labels from said stack to said pick-up station, the labelengaging portion of said device being at substantially room temperatureso as not to activate the adhesive material on said labels, and meansfor transporting a label delivered to said pick-up station from thelatter to an article on said support, the label engaging portion of saidtransporting means being heated to a temperature such as will activatethe adhesive material on such label during its passage from said pick-upstation to the article.

16. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a source of labelsupply, means spaced from said source for supporting articles to belabeled. a pick-up station intermediate said source of label supply andsaid article support, a vacuum device for transporting a label deliveredto said pick-up station from the latter to an article on said support,means for moving said transfer vacuum device and said transportingvacuum device in predetermined relationship, and means associated withsaid transporting vacuum device for activating the adhesive material onsaid label in its passage from said pick-up station to the article.

1'7. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a supply stack oflabels having heat activatable adhesive material thereon, means spacedfrom said stack for supporting articles to be labeled, a pick-up stationintermediate said label supply stack and said article support, a vacuumdevice for transferring individual labels from said stack to saidpick-up station, the label engaging portion of said transfer devicebeing at substantially room temperature so as not to activate theadhesive material on such labels, a vacuum device for transporting alabel delivered to said pick-up station from the latter to an article onsaid support, means associated with said transporting vacuum device forsupplying heat of a temperature to activate the adhesive material onsuch label in its passage from said pick-up station to the article, andmeans for moving said transfer vacuum device and said transportingvacuum device in predetermined relationship.

18. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a source of supply oflabels coated with thermo-activatable adhesive, means spaced from saidsource for supporting articles to be labeled, a support located betweensaid source and said article supporting means and spaced therefrom, afirst label feeding device for removing and transferring individuallabels from said source to said support, said first device operating ata temperature lower than the temperature required to activate thecoating on said label, a second feeding device for transporting fromsaid support and depositing on articles, the individual labels aftersaid labels have been removed from said source by said first device,means to heat the thermo-activatable adhesive during the transport ofthe label by said second feeding device, whereby the adhesive isactivated prior to the deposition of the label on the article and meansfor synchronously actuating said first and second feeding devices totransmit a label from said source to said spaced support and totransport a label from said spaced support to an article during the sametime.

19. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a source of supply oflabels coated with thermo-activatable adhesive, means spaced from saidsource for supporting articles to be labeled, feeding means for removingindividual labels from said source and applying such labels to articlesat said spaced supporting means, said feeding means including a labelcarrier capable of carry-'- ing a plurality of labels simultaneously,means on said carrier to heat the thermo-activatable adhesive coatingson such individual labels during the transport thereof from said sourceto said supporting means, said heating means being effective on aportion only of said carrier, and said feeding means including means fortransferring a label from an unheated portion of said carrier to aheated portion thereof at a point separated from said source of supplyand intermediate the latter and said article supporting means, wherebythe condition of the adhesive coatings on such labels is substantiallyunchanged during the initial portion of their transport by said feedingmeans,'and such adhesive coatings are activated prior to the depositionof the labels by said feeding means on the articles at said supportingmeans.

20. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a source of labelsupply, a label carrying device operable to transmit labels from saidsource of supply along a predetermined path, said device beingconstructed to carry two labels simultaneously and one portion of saiddevice being unheated and another portion of said device being heated,and means coactable with said device for transferring a label from theunheated portion of said device to the heated portion thereof at a pointspaced from said source of label supply.

21. In a labeling machine, means for support ing a source of labelsupply, a unitary label pick-up head operable to transmit labels fromsaid source of supply along a predetermined path and having two labelengaging portions for picking up and carrying labels, vacuum connectionsto each of said portions and one of such portions being unheated and theother portion heated, and means coactable with said head fortransferring a label from the unheated portion of said head to theheated portion thereof at a point spaced from said source of labelsupply.

22. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a source of labelsupply, a unitary vacuum device operable to transmit labels from saidsource of supply along a predetermined path, said device having twolabel carrying portions and having means for heating one of saidportions, said portions being constructed and arranged on said device sothat the heat from the heated portion will not substantially afiect theunheated portion thereof, and means coactable with said device fortransferring a label from the said unheated portion thereof to theheated portion thereof at a point spaced from said source of labelsupply.

23. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a store of labels, asupport for an individual label in spaced, predetermined positionrelative to said store, and a unitary vacuum device having apredetermined range of movement and operable to transmit simultaneouslyindividual labels from said store and from said support alongpredetermined paths, said device having a label engaging portionconstructed and arranged on said device to transport a label from saidstore to said support during the range of movement of said device in onedirection and said device having a second label engaging portionconstructed and arranged on said device to transport a label from saidsup:

before said second label engaging portion has completed its movement inthe said direction.

24. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a store of labels, asupport for an individual label in spaced, predetermined positionrelative to said store, and a unitary vacuum device having apredetermined path of travel and having a label engaging portionconstructed and arranged to coact with said store to remove a labeltherefrom during the travel of said device in one direction, and saiddevice having a second label engaging portion constructed and arrangedto coact with said support to remove a label therefrom durin the travelof said device in the same direction, said first mentioned portion ofsaid device bein unheated and said second label engaging portion of saiddevice being heated, whereby the label removed from said support isheated during the said travel of said device.

25. In a labeling machine, a support for a store of labels, a labelsupply station spaced from the store of labels on said support, anarticle supporting'station spaced from said label supply station, avacuum device arranged to travel from said supply station to saidarticle supporting station, said device having a restricted verticalmovement above said label supply station and having a label carryingsurface shaped other than flat and substantially conforming to the shapeof the article surface to which the label is to be applied; means forsuccessively carrying individual flat labels from the store on saidsupport to said supp station; and means at said supply station forshaping a flat label into conformity with said surface and fordepositing such label on said surface.

26. In a labeling machine, a support for a store of labels, a labelsupply station spaced from the store of labels on said support, anarticle supporting station spaced from said label supply station, avacuum device arranged to travel from said supply station to saidarticle supporting station, said device having a restricted verticalmovement above said label supply station and having a label carryingsurface shaped other than flat and substantially conforming to the shapeof the article surface to which the label is to be applied, a secondvacuum device for successively carrying individual labels from the storeon said support to said supply station and having a relatively flatlabel carrying surface, means at said supply station for shaping a flatlabel into conformity with the label carrying surface of said firstmentioned vacuum device and for depositing such label on said carryingsurface, and means for synchronously actuating said first and secondmentioned vacuum devices.

2'1. In the art of applying labels to articles, that improvement whichcomprises removing successive terminal labels from a store of labelshaving coatings of heat activatable adhesive material and transferringsuch labels successively in spaced, independent relation without theapplication of heat to a station spaced from said store. depositing suchspaced labels in a successive fashion at said station and on theiradhesive coated surfaces, successively picking'up and transportcoatingsof heat activatable adhesive material, transferring such labels in asuccessive fashion and in a fiat condition without the application ofheat to a station spaced from said store, reshaping the labels at suchstation into a shape other than flat and substantially conforming to theshape of the article surface to which the label is to be applied,successively transporting the reshaped labels to a label applyingstation and during such travel to the applying station subjecting thelabels to such heat as to activate the coatings thereon, and thensuccessively applying the labels to articles.

I 29. In the art of applying labels to articles, that improvement whichcomprises removing successive terminal labels from a store of labelshaving coatings of heat activatable adhesive material, transferring suchlabels in a successive fashion without the application of heat to astation spaced from said store, depositing such labels in a successivefashion at such station and on their adhesive coated surfaces,maintaining a label at such station other than by the adhesive coatingthereon and while so maintained reshaping the label into a shape otherthan flat, and substantially conforming to the shape of the articlesurface to which the label is to be applied. successively transportingthe reshaped labels to a label applying station and during such travelto the applying station subjecting the labels to such heat as toactivate the coatings thereon, and then successively applying the labelsto articles.

30. In a labeling machine, means to support a compacted supply ofinactivated thermoplastic coated labels, means spaced from said supplyfor supporting articles to be labeled, means for removing individuallabels from said compacted supply and for applying such labels toarticles on said support, said last mentioned means including a labelremoving device operative to remove an individual label from suchcompacted supply and having a temperature lower than the activatingtemperature of the thermoplastic coating on the label, a label applyingdevice having a temperature higher than the activating temperature ofthe thermoplastic coating on such labels and means coacting with saidremoving device and said applying device to transfer a label from saidremoving device to said applying device.

31. In the art of applying labels to articles, that improvement whichcomprises removing successive terminal labels from a store of labelshavin coatings of heat activatable adhesive material, transporting suclilabels successively, in spaced, independent relation over a portion ofthe path of travel from said store of labels to the articles to belabeled without the application of heat to such labels, then whiletransporting the labels in such successive fashion over the balance ofsuch path to thearticles to be labeled and without interruption of theirmovement over such balance of the path, successively subjecting them fora predetermined interval to such heat as to activate the coatingsthereon, and then successively applying the labels to articles.

32. In a labeling machine having article supporting means at a labelsupplying station for positioning hollow articles in label receivingposition, a vacuum head for feeding labels into the interior of sucharticles, said head comprising an elongated cylindrically-shaped casinghaving a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of theinterior of the article, having a plurality of openings provided in thecylindrical wall thereof and having a vacuum connection at one endthereof to cause a label to adhere to the cylindrical wall thereof,means separate from said head to provide a label around the perforatedcylindrical wall of said head, and means for actuating said head toinsert the cylindrical wall thereof with a label thereon into theinterior of an article at the label applying station.

33. In a labeling machine having article supporting'means at a labelsupplying station for positioning hollow articles in label receivingposition with the opening thereof in the line of movement of a labelfeeding device, a label feeding device comprising an elongated vacuumhead, a member supporting one end of said head so that the body of saidhead protrudes from said member, means connected to said supportingmember for moving said head in the direction of protrusion of the bodythereof and into the interior of articles at the label applying station,and means separate from said head to provide a label on the labelcarrying surface of the protruding body of said head.

34. In a labeling machine, having means to support a supply of labelsand means to support articles to be labeled, the combination of meansfor transmitting labels having coatings of heat activatable adhesivematerial and in successive. spaced independent relation to such articlesupport and for applying such labels to articles at such support, saidtransmitting and applying means including a label carrying vacuum deviceand means for heating the label carrying surface of said vacuum deviceat a temperature higher than room temperature to activate the adhesivematerial on such labels, and means for feeding such labels insuccessive, spaced, independent relation from said label supply supportto said transmitting and applying means, said last mentioned meanscomprising a label carrying vacuum device having an unheated labelcarrying surface.

35. In a labeling machine, having means to support a supply of labelsand means to support articles to be labeled, the combination of meansfor transmitting labels having coatings of heat activatable adhesivematerial and in successive, spaced independent relation to such articlesupport and for applying such labels to articles at such support, saidtransmitting and applying means including a label carrying device andmeans for heating the label carrying surface of said device at atemperature higher than room temperature to activate the adhesivematerial on such labels, and means for feeding such labels insuccessive, spaced, independent relation from said label supply supportto said transmitting and applying means, said last mentioned meanscomprising a label carrying device having an unheated label carryingsurface.

36. In a labeling machine having means to support a supply of labels andmeans to support articles to be labeled, of means for feeding labelshaving coatings of heat activatable adhesive material from said labelsupport to said article support. said feeding means comprising a unitaryvacuum device composed of two vacuum heads operable in succession oneach label fed from such label supply support to said article support,means for transferring a label from one vacuum head to the other, andmeans for heating said other vacuum head.

37. A labeling machine such as defined in claim 36, in which said heatedvacuum head has area than that of said unheated vacuum head.

38. In a labeling machine for handling labels having heat activatableadhesive material thereon, a support for a source of supply of suchlabels, a support for an article to belabeled spaced from said supplysupport, a first label carrying device adapted to receive a terminallabel from such supply and to carry such label over a portion of thepath from such supply to the article, a second label carrying deviceadapted to carry such label over the balance of said path from suchsupply to the article and to apply such label to the article, said firstlabel carrying device being at a temperature lower than the activatingtemperature of the adhesive material on such label, and said secondlabel carrying device being provided with heating means to heat theadhesive material to a temperature above the activating temperaturethereof and to apply such label under pressure to said article.

39. In a labeling machine for handling labels having heat activatableadhesive material thereon, a support for a source of supply of suchlabels, a support for an article to be labeled spaced from said sourceof supply, means for feeding such labels from such source of supply tosaid article support including a first label carrying device adapted tocarry a label over a portion of its path of feed from such supply to thearticle, and a second label carrying device adapted to carry such labelover the balance of such path and to apply it to the article, said firstlabel carrying device being at a temperature so as not to activate theadhesive material, means provided on said second label carryingdevice'to heat the adhesive material on such label so as to activate thesame, and means connected to said second label carrying device andoperative to cause the latter to apply the activated label underpressure to the article.

40. In a labeling machine for handling labels having heat activatableadhesive material thereon, a support for a source of supply of suchlabels, a support for an article to be labeled spaced from said sourceof supply, means for feeding such labels from such source of supply tosaid article support including a first suction device adapted to carry alabel over a portion of its path of feed from such supply to thearticle, and a second suction device adapted to carry such label fromplace of discharge thereof by said first suction device to the article,said first suction device being at a temperature lower than theactivating temperature of the adhesive material on such label, and meansassociated with said second suction device for supplying heat of atemperature to actuate the adhesive material on such label in itspassage to the article.

41. In a labeling machine for handling labels having heat activatableadhesive material thereon, a support for a source of supply of suchlabels, a support for an article to be labeled spaced from said sourceof supply, means for feeding such labels from such source of supply toan article on said article support including a first device forreleasably holding individual labels and adapted to carry a label over aportion of its path of feed from such suppl to the article, and a seconddevice for releasably holding individual labels and adapted to carrysuch label from the place of discharge thereof by said first device tothe article, said first device being at a temperature lower than theactivating temperature of the adhesive material on such cases label,means associated with said second device for supplying heat of atemperature to activate the adhesive material on such label in itspassage to the article, and means for causing said second device todeposit such label on the article.

42. In a labeling machine for handling labels having heat activatableadhesive material thereon, a support for a source or supply of suchlabels, a support for an article to be labeled spaced from said sourceof supply, means for feeding'such labels from such source of supply toan article on said article support, including a first device forsupporting individual labels and adapted to carry a label over a portionof its path of feed from such supply to an article, and a second devicefor supportng individual labels and adapted to carry such label from theplace of discharge thereof by said first device to the article, saidfirst device being at a temperature lower than the activatingtemperature of the adhesive material on such label, a label engagingsurface on said second device, means provided on said second device forsupplying to said label engaging surface heat of a temperature toactivate the adhesive material on such label in its Passage to thearticle, means for causing said first and second devices to move so asto carry such label over a predetermined path to a position overlyingthe part of the article to which such label is to be applied, and meansfor moving the label engaging surface of said second device from suchposition towards such article part to adhere such label to the articleunder pressure.

43. In a. machine for forming and applying sheets to articles, means forsupporting a supply stack of sheets, means for supporting articles towhich the sheets are to be applied, a sheet forming device locatedbetween said stack supporting means and said article supporting means, apair of sheet carrying suction heads associated with said formingdevice, means for synchronously reciprocating one of said heads betweenthe supply stack: and said forming device and the other of said headsbetween such device and said article support, suction means associatedwith said heads and said forming device and operable to control thesuction applied to the sheets by said heads and said forming device,whereby the sheets are removed successively from the supply stock by oneof said heads to said forming device and formed and held formed thereat,then removed therefrom and maintained in formed condition by the otherof said suction heads and applied by the latter to an article on saidarticle supporting means.

44. A machine for forming and applying sheets to articles, comprising aholder for a supply of sheets, a sheet forming device spaced therefromand having a configuration such as to impart the desired formation to asheet, an articie supporting means spaced from said forming device, apair of reciprocablc suction heads, said heads being in tandem and oneof said heads having a surface shaped in correspondence with theconfiguration of said forming device, one of solid heads being arrangedto ply between said sheet supply holder and said forming device, and theother of said heads being arranged to ply between said forming deviceand said article supporting means, controlled suction means associatedwith said heads and said forming device and operable therewith to removea sheet from said supply holder, form and hold such removed sheet onsaid forming device, remove the formed sheet from said device. maintainthe sheet in formed condition and apply the formed sheet to an articleon said article supporting means.

45. In a machine for forming and applying sheets to articles, means forsupporting a supply of sheets, a forming device spaced from saidsupporting means and constructed to impart a desired formation to suchsheets, an article supporting means spaced from said forming device, apair of synchronously reciprocable suction heads, one of said suctionheads having a surface contoured in correspondence with the formation towhich such sheets are to be reshaped and adapted to cooperate with saidforming device to conform a sheet therebetween, one of said heads beingreciprocable to transfer a sheet from said sheet support to said formingdevice and the other of said heads being reciprocable to transfer aformed sheet from said forming device to an article on said articlesupporting means, and to apply such formed sheet to the article.

46, In a machine for forming and applying sheets to articles, means forsupporting a supply of sheets, a forming device spaced from saidsupporting means and constructed to impart a desired formation to suchsheets, on article sup porting means spaced from said forming device, apair of synchronously reciprocable suction heads, one of said suctionheads having a surface contourcd in correspondence with the formation towhich such sheets are to be reshaped and adapted to cooperate with saidforming device to conform a sheet therebetween, one of said heads beingreciprocable to transfer a sheet from said sheet support to said formingdevice and the other of said heads being reciprocable to transfer aformed sheet from said forming device to an article on said articlesupporting means and to apply such formed'shcet to the article, andmeans for rendering adhesive the article engaging surface of a formedsheet during its transit from said. forming device to said articlesupporting means.

47. In a machine for forming and applying sheets to articles, means forsupporting a suply of sheets, a support located at a point ofapplication at a distance from said supply for supporting an article insheet receiving position, a forming station including a forming deviceupon which the sheets are formed located between said sheel support andsaid point of application, a suction head for removing individual sheetsfrom said supply, means for shifting said suction head to move a sheetcarried thereby into forming engagement with said device, a secondsuction head for removing individual formed sheets from said formingdevice and having a -face thereof contoured to retain the sheets informed position, means connecting said second 4 suction head with theshifting means of said first mentioned suction head efiective to move aformed sheet carried by said second section head toward said articlesupport, means for rendering adhesive the article engaging surface ofthe formed sheet during its transit from said forming device to saidarticle support, and means associated with said suction head forefiecting application of the formed and udhesively coated sheet to thearticle on said article support 48. In a machine for forming andapplying sheets to articles, a forming device having a forming surfaceconstructed to distort a sheet being reshaped thereon, means including asuction head coacting with said forming surface to deliver a sheet tosaid surface to reshape the sheet and to hold the reshaped sheet bysuction capes 17 on said surface, a second suction head having a surfaceconformed to fit the formed sheet operable to transport the latter fromsaid device and apply such formed sheet to an article, and means forsynchronously moving said suction heads into and out of cooperativeassociation with said forming device.

49. In a machine for forming and applying sheets to articles, means forsupporting a supply of sheets, a forming device having a forming surfaceadapted to receive said sheets for forming, means including suctionmeans operable to move a terminal sheet from said supply to said surfaceand to form the removed sheet on said surface, means for supportingarticles, a second suction means conformed to fit the formed sheet andoperable to move the latter from said forming device to said articlesupporting means and to apply the formed sheet to an article on suchsupporting means.

50. In a machine for forming and applying sheets to articles, means forsupporting a supply of sheets, a forming device having a forming surfaceadapted to receive said sheets for forming, means including suctionmeans operable to move a terminal sheet from said supply to said surfaceand to form the removed sheet on said surface, means for supportingarticles, a second suction means conformed to fit the formed sheet andoperable to move the later from said formingdevice to said articlesupporting means and to apply the formed sheet to an article on suchsupporting means, means joining said first and second suction means, andmeans for imparting reciprocating movement to said joining means.

51. In a machine for forming and applying sheets to articles, means forsupporting a supply of'sheets, an article support spaced therefrom, asheet forming device intermediate said article support and said sheetsupporting means, and a pair of synchronously and reciprocally movablesuction heads simultaneously operable, respectively,to remove a sheetfrom said sheet supporting means and a formed sheet from said formingdevice and simultaneously and respectively transfer and apply saidremoved sheet and said formed sheet to said forming device and to anarticle on said article supporting means, said suction device operatingbetween said forming device and said article supporting means having asheet carrying surface di ferent from said other suction device andconforming in shape to the forming surface of said forming device.

52. In a machine for applying sheets to articles, means for conveying asheet from one terminal position over a predetermined path to anotherterminal position and for applying such sheet to an article at saidlatter position, means including said conveying means as a part thereofoperable to bend and form such sheet at a point in said pathintermediate said terminal positions, and means for rendering adhesive asurface of such sheet following said bending and forming operation andbefore applying such formed sheet to an article at said other terminalposition.

53. In a machine for forming and applying sheets to articles, means forsupporting a'supply of sheets, a forming device having a sheet reshapingsurface adapted to receive said sheets for forming, means fortransferring a sheet from said sheet supporting means to said surfaceand for forming the transferred sheet on said surface, means forsupporting articles, and means having a sheet carrying surface conformedto fit the formed sheet and operable to move the latter from saidforming device to said article supporting means and to apply the formedsheet to an article on such supporting means.

54. In a machine for forming and applying sheets to articles, means forsupportin a supply of sheets, a forming device having a sheet reshapingsurface adapted to receive said sheets for forming, means fortransferring a sheet from said sheet supporting means to said surface,means for forming the transferred sheet on said surface, means forsupporting articles, and means having a sheet carrying surface conformedto fit the formed sheet and operable to move the latter from saidforming device to said article supporting means and to apply the formedsheet to an article on such supporting means.

55. In a machine for forming and applying sheets to articles, means forsupporting a supply of sheets, a forming device having a sheet reshapingsurface adapted to receive said sheets for forming, means fortransferring a sheet from said sheet supporting means to said surface,means for supporting articles, and means having a sheet carrying surfaceconformed to the shape of the forming surface of said forming device andoperable to form the transferred sheet on the surface of said formingdevice, to move the formed sheet from said forming device to saidarticle supporting means and to apply the formed sheet to an article onsuch supporting means.

56. In the art of forming and applying sheets to articles, thatimprovement which comprises removing successive terminal sheets from astore of sheets, transferring such sheets in a successive fashion to astation spaced from such store, reshaping the sheets at such stationinto the form desired for application to the articles, successivelytransporting the reshaped sheets from such station to an applyingstation and during such transporting step maintaining the sheets intheir reshaped form, and at the end of such transporting step applyingthe reshaped sheets to articles at the applying station.

57. In the art of forming and applying sheets to articles, thatimprovement which comprises removing successive terminal sheets from astore of sheets, transferring such sheets in a successive fashion to astation spaced from such store, reshaping each sheet at such stationinto the form desired for application to an article and holding suchsheet formed at such station, then successively transporting thereshaped sheets from such station to an applying station whilemaintaining them in their reshaped form by pressure, and at the end ofsuch transporting step successively applying the. reshaped sheets toarticles at the applying station.

58. In'the art of forming and applying sheets to articles, thatimprovement which comprises removing successive terminal sheets from astore of sheets, transferring such sheets in a successive fashion to astation spaced from such store while maintaining sheets under thecontrol of suction, successively reshaping the sheets at such station bybending spaced portions of each sheet away from the central portionthereof and holding each sheet in its formed condition by suction atsuch station, then successively transporting the reshaped sheets fromsuch station to an applying station while maintaining them in theirreshaped form with the aid of suction, and while such sheets are beingso transported from such internames 7 19 mediate station to saidapplying station rendering the same capable of being adhesivelu adheredto an article, and then successively applying the formed sheets toarticles at the applying station.

' GEORGE W. van HOFE.

References Cited in the me of this patent or the original patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Name Date Warn Mar. 19, 1929 Number Number 20 Name DateMcNamara. Feb. 20, 1934 Riggs Feb. 9, 1937 Gray Sept. 13, 1988 Von HoleJan.'7, 1941 Von Hate July 1, 1941 Von Hole Apr. 14, 1942 Brown July 7,1942 I'lmxton Dec. 30, 1952

